Community Mortgage Loan Officer

Job Description First American Bank was founded in Chicago, and over the years has expanded throughout Wisconsin and Florida. As the largest privately held bank in Illinois, we now have over 60 locations and assets of $8+ billion.  We are a community bank at heart with international expertise, traditional values, and a forward-looking philosophy. Our employees have the experience and vision to meet the needs of savers, borrowers, and businesses in the 21st century. First American Bank can offer employees a level of visibility, career growth, and stability that is difficult to find in many larger corporations. The Community Mortgage Loan Officer originates residential mortgage loans while leveraging established relationships with real estate professionals, community organizations, affordable housing agencies, nonprofit partners, and other referral sources to drive business growth. This position serves as a trusted advisor, helping customers navigate the home financing process by identifying lending solutions that align with their financial goals and homeownership objectives, including affordable housing and community lending programs. As a highly relationship-driven role, the Community Mortgage Loan Officer spends the majority of their time in the field developing new business opportunities, expanding First American Bank's presence within the communities it serves, and increasing access to sustainable homeownership opportunities. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Independently originate residential mortgage loans by interviewing applicants, taking loan applications, conducting preliminary underwriting reviews, and submitting complete loan packages to processing and underwriting for approval. Conduct comprehensive consultations with prospective and existing customers to assess their financial circumstances, homeownership goals, borrowing needs, income, assets, liabilities, and credit history to identify appropriate lending solutions. Recommend mortgage products and community lending solutions that align with customer objectives while providing guidance throughout the mortgage application, underwriting, and closing process. Educate customers on available affordable housing programs, low-to-moderate income (LMI) mortgage solutions, down payment assistance programs, lender-paid assistance programs, and other homeownership resources. Analyze borrower financial information, credit profiles, income documentation, and assets to determine eligibility for traditional and specialized community lending programs. Maintain an active pipeline of mortgage opportunities by documenting customer interactions, monitoring loan progress, obtaining required documentation, and ensuring timely follow-up throughout the lending process. Develop and maintain relationships with real estate professionals, affordable housing organizations, nonprofit agencies, housing counselors, community development organizations, and other referral sources to generate new business opportunities and expand homeownership access. Leverage an established book of business and community network to identify prospective borrowers and increase mortgage production within the assigned market. Serve as a resource to prospective homebuyers by providing education regarding mortgage products, financial readiness, homeownership opportunities, and available assistance programs. Collaborate with internal business partners to deliver a seamless customer experience and identify opportunities to expand customer relationships through referrals to other Bank products and services. Partner with Processors, Underwriters, Closers, customers, and external vendors to facilitate the timely and accurate completion of mortgage transactions. Effectively communicate mortgage lending concepts, program requirements, regulatory disclosures, and eligibility criteria in a manner that is easily understood by customers and community partners. Develop and execute a business development strategy focused on expanding relationships with community organizations, referral partners, housing advocates, and local stakeholders while achieving established sales goals. Represent First American Bank at community events, affordable housing initiatives, first-time homebuyer workshops, nonprofit events, and other outreach activities that support community development and homeownership opportunities. Attend and/or host community-focused events, including diverse Realtor association meetings, affordable housing initiatives, nonprofit programs, and homeownership education events, to strengthen referral networks and increase awareness of First American Bank's lending solutions. Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made by demonstrating sound judgment, adhering to applicable laws and regulations, following Bank policies, and safeguarding the interests of First American Bank and its customers. Maintain knowledge of community lending trends, affordable housing initiatives, mortgage products, assistance programs, and regulatory developments to better serve customers and community partners. Perform sales-related activities primarily outside of Bank locations, including customer meetings, referral partner visits, community outreach initiatives, homebuyer education programs, and networking events. 80%+ of work time is spent outside of Bank locations conducting business development, community outreach, networking, customer meetings, and sales activities. Conduct and complete additional assignments/projects as designated by management. QUALIFICATIONS High school diploma or equivalent. This position requires the individual to take loan applications and close loans. This position will require the employee to register and maintain registration with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS). Minimum of three years of mortgage loan origination experience required, including a demonstrated ability to develop referral relatio